Sample synopsis 2 - Betty's first job in Jolley's Department Store

Betty had no ambition for a career; she was just bored at school but very interested in shops. Her mother had come down to Bath to work in Jolley's and lived above the shop in Milsom Street. Through her, Betty was taken on as an apprentice at the College Green branch of Jolley's. She was not paid for the three years but worked her way through all the departments, starting in Haberdashery. Father had to pay them as they provided a lunch. He also gave her pocket money of half a crown a week and her train ticket from Keynsham to Temple Meads. After three years she was paid £8 a month.

Jolley's shop was beautiful and had a long sweeping staircase. She had to wear a long black dress which mother made for her. Betty loved fashion. When she was paid she would always buy a pair of Aristot stockings for her mother and would also leave an envelope of money on her dressing table. Betty enjoyed the last department, Mantels - the coat department - with an ogre of a buyer, Mrs Bailey, who seemed to like her.

There were lovely furs and she would have to model them in the old Royal Hotel. They would have to take out the window display at night and take the coats downstairs. The furs would be tapped with bamboo canes in the summer to clear them of moths. She remembers working on Umbrellas too, especially one customer, Mrs Roderick-Fry, an imposing lady in black with a growth on the back of her head. One year she bought umbrellas for all her Christmas presents.

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